A southerly wind flow is pulling up warm moist area that will collide with the front, causing the storms to increase into the evening hours.

Forecasters in Miami said the storms could bring gusty winds and hail. There is a chance West Palm Beach will be missed by the storms if the sea breeze kicks up and pushes cloudiness and rain west where thunderstorms could form after colliding with a Lake Okeechobee breeze.

Cold front location valid at 2 p.m.

But the sea breeze depends on how warm we get today. If clouds increase and keep temperatures low, there’s a better chance that the storms could develop along the coast and dampen tonight’s lighting of West Palm Beach’s 35-foot Sandi Christmas Tree.

“Some strong storms are possible,” said Robert Garcia, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Miami. “We’re thinking the primary hazards are lightning, gusty winds and the potential for small hail.”

Last year, Sandi got swamped by widespread rains the first week in December and had to be repaired to the tune of $5,100. The heavy rain and winds knocked down Sandi’s star and blew out lights.

The deluge, which set rainfall records across South Florida and flooded streets in Miami-Dade County, left a sheet of sand puddled near part of the tree as carved candy canes and lollipops dissolved in the swamping.